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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Matilda Aberese Ako, Adolescent Health, Navrongo Health Research Center, P.O.Box 114, Navrongo, UER, Ghana, Navrongo, Ghana, 23374222310, maberese@yahoo.com

The Ghanaian state has a long tradition of supporting women's rights, but when it comes to matters of female sexuality including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the state has not been very successful in finding effective preventive measures. The study through various power dynamics in institutions, everyday practice and in gender relations offers a perspective on violence against women. It provides an in-depth analysis of state approaches to the eradication of FGM. It also explores the reasons behind communities' continuous resistance to state intervention. The study was based on five in-depth interviews carried out with personnel of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and one in-depth interview with a circumciser. 32 community members were interviewed, the breakdown was: 8 males and 8 females: ages 16 to 25 years. 8 males and 8 females ages 25 years and above. Results from the study reveal that there exist gaps in the strategies adopted by the state towards the intervention. Vital issues that the state ignored in its strategy for intervention were the power dynamics involved in an act of circumcision and women's role towards the eradication process. Thus the study puts forward some elements for an alternative approach to intervention focusing on a capabilities approach. The approach combines a legal approach to the protection of the rights of women and girls and human rights approach that seeks change from the local level through the involvement of all women, girls and other stakeholders in FGM.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Identify the Ghanaian state’s approaches to the eradication of FGM.
• Identify the reasons behind communities’ continuous resistance to state intervention.
• Assess a human rights approach to address the problem.

Keywords: Female Genital Mutilation,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation